Monday, June 6, 2016

Maggie's First Dance with Jacquelynne Steves

Welcome Back to Monday Motivation! Always good to have you here! This week I have the pleasure to share something fun and beautiful with you complete with an Aurifil Giveaway!

This week is the the first brand new Block of the Month hosted by the very lovely Jacquelynne Steves called Maggie's First Dance. You can find Block One by here. The blocks will be issued once a month and will contain a variety of techniques for you to create your block. This BOM is for just six months so it will be fast! You can have a new quilt ready for the holiday season!

For the first block, I tried something way out of my comfort zone. Free motion embroidery!

The block is perfect! I wanted to try something new for center block. The free motion embroidery was interesting way to create the center block using many colors of Aurifil thread in both 40 and 50wt.

To make this easy center block, I printed the embroidery portion of the pattern. I cut a square of fabric about the same size as the page it was printed on 8.5x11in. I used Pellon sf101 fusible interfacing and ironed on according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the fabric cooled, I used painters tape ( or you can use wash tape) to place on a window or if you have a light box that would be great too!

Frixion pens are wonderful for embroidery pattern tracing. They have a thin tip and iron away if you make a mistake or when you are finished and do not want lines to show.

After the pattern has been traced, it is time for fun! I have a Bernina 440qe. I am using the help of my BSR to make the free motion embroidery process easier.

Get your machine set for free motion quilting and start by following the lines in each section. I started with the stems, since they are straighter and easier to fill. I used two colors to give some depth.

Then I started on the petals of each flower. I started slow by outlining each petal and center then starting filling in.

Then fill in the centers with a different color.

The only downside is that I have some puckering around the petals of the flowers. I may need a hoop for making the fabric more taut in the future or maybe try a thicker stabilizer. I may try both and let you know how it goes!

Here is a photo of the full quilt we will be making together! Isn't it lovely!

I am honored to be one of the bloggers that will be participating in making the monthly blocks with you, sharing my color choices, and maybe give some tips to help make the blocks presented. This is the perfect way to play without the time commitment of a full year!

The list of bloggers is so cool, be sure to visit them, say hello and see how they are creating their blocks! Variety is the spice of life :o)

pretty fall colors and nice free motion embroidery, have never thought of trying that. I'm just starting hand embroidery. Yes I have started my Christmas Projects, I purchased the fabric last year, collected patterns and purchased a couple of kits at 70% of at Connecting Threads a couple of weeks ago. I starting my first stocking wine tote today.

Before I answer your question about starting holiday projects, just thought to offer a bit of advice on your thread painting (free motion) and that is you should use a stabilizer on the back and stitch around the outside edges of the block before you start thread painting. The stabilizer and stitching will help to prevent distortion when sewing the block, i.e., pulling in the sides and or puckering. Once you have done your stitching, turn it right side down and press with a pressing cloth. Helps a lot.

Now on the question of holiday projects, I usually start creating gifts the end of January. This allows me time to decide on a project and get it done without having to rush and if it is to be mailed, that can be done timely as well. Hate the last minute rushing and panic.

Thanks for the opportunity to win one of the many wonderful Aurifil threads.

Free motion embroidery is a great idea for this BOM! I have tried a bit of thread-painting, it takes so much longer than I anticipated, but I love the results! Christmas projects are always on my mind, but I have not yet started on them!

No holiday projects yet but I do have a Christmas quilt pattern that I want to make. I am making a brown and white Bear Paw Quilt now and maybe when this one is done, I will start on the Christmas Quilt. Thank you for being a part of this Aurifil Thread giveaway and giving us all a chance to become a winner. Just gotta love Aurifil.

"Good Grief" if I may take a quote from Charley Brown, I have so many other projects to do after moving into our newly renovated home that holiday, I assume you mean Christmas, projects will have to wait. I am doing Memorial Day/July 4/Veteran's Day R/W/B projects now. It's great, you can do one project for three holidays!Rosemary

Yes, my mother and I have started making these cute hot pads to give away for Christmas, so every time we get together, we make a couple sets of hot pads. I think so far we have made about 4 sets. yasemin84@aol.com

I have just finished a Christmas gift for our oldest granddaughter who will be a senior at the University of Alabama this fall. It is a red and white elephant on a grey background. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

Which holiday? I've pieced a small table runner for the 4th of July and just need to quilt it. The grid stitching seems best for this project. Otherwise, Christmas is too far away to be motivated yet. Thanks for the post about your free motion design.

I make gifts all year long and many of them will end up as Christmas gifts. I probably have 6 or 8 done that I will give at the holidays -- if I don't use them for birthdays or anything before then.Free motion embroidery is a great idea! It looks really cool.

Hi. I just bought some cute Christmas fabrics from my local quilt shop and I'm going to make some pot holders for my nieces who like to bake cookies at Christmastime. I might even make them aprons but I haven't decided yet. I'll give them the pot holders during our Thanksgiving gathering.

Looking for a particular fabric the other day I pulled out my Christmas bin. Glad I did because there were some fabrics in it that weren't Christmas related. I looked at the Christmas fabrics I had in there and thought I really need to get started on some of this stuff. So it's in the back of my mind just not motivated enough yet I guess.

I have started my Christmas time Makings! I am doing some crochet of course but also working on the quilts. I have my son's quilt top completed and need to work on the quilting and binding! Lots more in progress! So much Fun, so little time!

Good grief I can't even think about Christmas yet. The guild season just ended this morning but next year's budget remains to be done and the pool just opened up. Whatever has to survive sitting by the pool.

Thanks for showing how you made your center block. That was interesting! I bet a heavier stabilizer will help - or putting newspaper under your already stabilized block might work, too. I love the unusual fabric combinations you used. I like to see people mix things up a bit. Does it count if I'm finishing a Christmas Wreath that I started for last Christmas? LOL dezertsuz at gmail

Hmmmm... Does thinking about what to sew for the holidays count? If so, yep... I've started LOL!I actually have an Advent calendar for my grandkids that I didn't get finished last year so it's on my calendar to pull it out in October and finish it. You know how those best laid plans go though!

I am impressed with your FM embroidery! Very creative idea. I might, just might finish a bed quilt for this Christmas that I have had the fabric for several years now. The top is very close to completion now. No one else has projects like that do they? :-)

I haven't even given thought to holidays but I guess I should..... Quilted placemats come to mind since I can use lots of different fabrics and techniques. The other posts are great and I might end up motivated.....

I love your thread painting. I have finished one lap quilt for a holiday present and I have half of a snowman table runner to finish ( to be honest, the runner was supposed to be last holidays present)

I have started my Christmas items and they are taking far longer then I thought. I am so far behind now, I may never catch up. I love the pillow you have displayed on your blob. I want to make one like it. So I will be checking out your tutorial.

Have about 9 of my Christmas presents done and still have 12 to go, plus a 1st Anniversary quilt that just needs binding. Also have to start on 35 machine embroidered tree ornaments. Hopefully will be done by the end of June.Love your block!!!!

Oh my goodness no! I haven't even began to think about sewing for Christmas!But I guess I really should start! It will be here before we can get a few spools sewn!!I would love for you to visit my blog!vintagebloomsquiltdesigns.blogspot.comThanks for sharing!Janan

Love your colors first off.Second I work on Holiday all year long, Multiple projects at once so I can give them to family and friends. Currently working on 6 BOM's that will be finished in November in time to ship for Christmas, plus just picked up some more Christmas fabric for a few table runners for those that aren't getting quilts this year. I usually send a box of ornaments to be distributed amongst family, as well as the quilts to specific individuals. Everyone is on the list that never seems to get shorter. LOL! Do love sharing my learned talents.

Hahaha, you're funny. :P I have not started any holiday projects yet, I made a list in February of all my WIPs and am trying to work through those. There are at least 30 projects on that list... and I've been fighting the need to start a new project of a lone star made with Christmas jelly roll strips!

I like your colors, and thank you for the tutorial on the embroidery. I have a Bernina 150QE and I don't know what it would do if I tried heavier thread. It likes the Aurifil 50wt just fine, but it took me a while to figure out which thread it would work with.

Planning on making sports quilts for three of my grandsons. Got the ideas all planned out and fabric bought for one. Need to get busy as the holidays will be here before I know it! Like how you did thread painting for your embroidery.

I downloaded the pattern last night plan to embroider my blocks but think it will be hand done as my machine embroidery skills are not good!Liking what you have done thought a hoop was needed to do the embroidery but see with a good stabliser it works without very well so maybe I will have a little practise. More hours in the day please.

I have not started yet but I am also one of those PROCRASTINATORS! I wait until the last minute but last year that was in November for Christmas projects. I am going to shoot for October this year as I am expecting my 3rd grandchild in mid December. I have started on what baby quilt I want to make, though!

I love aurifil so Id really like to win. Thank you for this giveaway. I love your block and yay to you for the embroidery. It looks wonderful! As for holiday projects: no, I am not yet planning, nor working on them. But I have goals nonetheless! I have a quilt to bind and several garments to finish. At this moment I am most focussed on finishing WIPs. Finishing WIPs may also open up my planning for future (holiday!) projects.cottonpaperflowers at gmail dot com

I have just joined a Monday night quilting group and they have a monthly challenge of making a Christmas decoration. I have just made my first one being a heart with a snowman angel on it. I am looking for a Christmas quilt pattern for a special family quilt to put up each Christmas but haven't found the right one yet.

I love how you did your block in thread!!!! As far as holiday projects go, I make things all through the year, with intentions of using them for gifts that year. I am way behind this year, b/c I welcomed a new grand-baby. I really need to get on the ball & catch up!

Oh, my! Does writing on a list that I have seven Christmas stockings to make qualify as starting? I do have the fabric all picked out, and the pattern. I was going to make five stockings last year for my grandchildren. But this year the number is up to seven.....twins due in a few months. I better get started!

I think the block that you made is beautiful. Your fabric choices are such a fabulous strong and vibrant choice especially when you chose to add the special free motion embroidery design in the center of the block. You did a wonderful job with this and it really does add so much strength and individualism beauty to this block. It is unique and special.

I am working on Christmas presents. Today, I am hoping to finish 3 projects for my daughter. Thank you for sharing all that you have on this post and this special give away! I hope that you have a fantastic creative day! brend_ack@yahoo.com

I haven't even thought about Christmas!! It is finally nice enough here in MN to be outside, so, I'm working on my outdoor gardens, etc. It will be football season before I start thinking about Christmas projects.

Love your free motion embroidery, have been wanting to start a 4th of July project, but time is getting away from me as usual, I love christmas fabric and have been buying some each time I go to my local quilt shop, don't know if I'll have anything made by christmas if I don't get busy.

Oh my goodness no way have I started on Christmas sewing! I'm still working on outfits for my grandchildren (4 of them anyway) to wear at our annual 4th of July parade. We live in a small Iowa town that goes way out for the 4th.

I love your block! I've done some of that while quilting w/my longarm. Nice idea.

I never thought about free motion embroidery and just might have to try it when I finish the project I'm working on now. Your block came out wonderful. Haven't started any Christmas gifts yet and not sure that I'm going to this year. Thanks for a chance to win.

We are in wintertime mode down here in New Zealand, cold mornings, frosty grass, and Christmas seems a long way away. My friend Joyce is embroidering squares, the latest is a frog, the others are an umbrella with flowers under, a smaller frog, a line up of ducks, and these will have borders added and each one will be an outside pocket on a bag. Perfect for gifts, and so useful too. This is a fantastic give-away, and international entry is very special.

I actually just "thought" about a holiday project yesterday to make. Haven't started it yet though. I want to sew my sister a pieced clutch in Anna Graham's book. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

I have started Christmas sewing. I have 2 quilts in the works. One is a BOM expected to finish in the fall. The other was a quick sew along like this one and even though it just finished, I'm not done...but I'm getting there!